I have done hell gate. You want to be at the Battery at low tide with slack current if you are heading towards LI Sound. If you are leaving LI Sound for NY Harbor you want to be at the Throgsneck bridge one hour before highwater slack. If you follow these recommendations, you can do 14 over the ground.

Do not travel against the current, it is very dangerous-especially for an aux-powered sailboat.

Enjoy.

__________________
There isn't a device on this world that can measure the indifference I have for that statement.